# The Cliffs of the Trinity

**Joseph Pennell** (American, 1857–1926)  
1913  
lithograph in black on Van Gelder Zonen laid paper  
image: 42.55 × 55.25 cm (16 3/4 × 21 3/4 in.) sheet: 46.36 × 58.1 cm (18 1/4 × 22 7/8 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2015.19.1343. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.183095.html).

## About this work

Joseph Pennell made this in 1913, aged 56. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image depicts a landscape with towering rock formations dominating the scene. The ground is rugged and textured, leading the eye towards the rock pillars in the center. A structure or building is perched atop one of these rocks. The background shows the horizon above the structure, with clouds and sky stretching out beyond. The artwork features detailed brushstrokes adding texture to the rocks. The color palette is monochromatic with varying shades of charcoal or ink, emphasizing the contrast between the rocks and the sky.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Lithograph.** Drawn on limestone with a greasy crayon or ink. The stone is kept damp, and the oily printing ink clings only to the drawing. Invented in the 1790s, it let artists print exactly as they drew.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [Joseph Pennell](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/joseph-pennell)

American, 1857–1926

## Facts

- Type: Print
- The artist was 56
- Real size: about 17 × 22 in (43 × 55 cm). The 16 × 20 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 20th century
- Subjects: Landscape, Church, Cliffs
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1688.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1688/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-cliffs-of-the-trinity-nga-183095).